Freeze Information for Western North Carolina

Note: Frost can occur even when the recorded low temperature is a few degrees
above freezing. Thus, the earliest/average/latest date of the last frost is roughly
14 days later then the spring dates below, and the earliest/average/latest date
of the first frost is about 12 days before the fall dates below. Also, deeper
valleys will tend to have frost/freezing conditions later in the spring and earlier
in the fall than surrounding terrain.

Last Spring Temperature at or below 32 Degrees

City

Earliest

Average

Latest

Asheville

March 20

April 10

May 8

Banner Elk

March 31

May 9

June 11

Boone

April 3

April 30

May 27

Lenoir

March 21

April 14

May 18

Hickory

February 26

April 7

May 8

Jefferson

April 21

May 11

June 6

North Wilkesboro

April 1

April 23

May 18

First Fall/Summer Temperature at or below 32 Degrees

City

Earliest

Average

Latest

Asheville

October 3

October 25

December 2

Banner Elk

September 5

October 3

October 27

Boone

September 11

October 8

November 7

Lenoir

September 30

October 23

November 14

Hickory

October 3

October 30

December 2

Jefferson

September 5

October 5

December 1

North Wilkesboro

September 24

October 17

November 14

Freeze-Free Period

City

Average Number of Days Between Freezes

Mowing Misery Index (MMI)* :-)

Asheville

198

33.3

Banner Elk

147

26.0

Boone

161

28.0

Lenoir

192

32.4

Hickory

206

34.4

Jefferson

147

26.0

North Wilkesboro

177

30.3

*Mowing Misery Index (MMI): (Freeze-Free Days / 7) + 5. The average number of
times you can expect to mow your lawn (assuming you mow once every week and allowing
for 2.5 mowings on either side of the freezing season).